Provincial Grand Lodge of Valencia

On the 18th of June the Provisional Grand Master of Valencia, RWBro Michael Shilan, gave up some of his valuable time to visit El Preventorio children’s home in Real de Gandia. He has been trying to visit for some time but always something has prevented him from doing so. He was determined to make the visit with his lovely wife Muriel despite flying to Italy early the following day. Both the Provincial Grand Lodge of Valencia and various individual Lodges have supported the home for many years, most recently, by contributing towards the provision of new beds and mattresses for all the children.

He was greeted, on arrival at the home, by Mrs Silvia Barnish, who has acted as liaison and translator for many previous Masonic visits and spends a large proportion of her life helping and supporting the home. Mrs Barnish then took the Provincial Grand Master on a tour of both the home and the adjacent school. He was very impressed by both. He first visited the school and was impressed by the facilities provided, many via charitable donations and with the help of many volunteers.

He then toured the home and was impressed by the cleanliness and good order seen. The children are generally responsible for keeping the place clean and tidy and obviously do a very good job. He saw the dormitories which are generally divided into rooms each containing three beds. Any children with siblings are usually placed together where possible and older children generally get a room to themselves. He then visited a quiet area which is especially prepared for lonely or sad children who want to speak to someone but often don’t know how to do so. In this case they can go to the quiet area and use a toy phone to speak to one of the adult carers or a teacher. They then sometimes feel able to speak more freely than face to face. There is also a special cuddly toy which they can hold should they need a hug or some special comforting. In this case an adult will go and sit quietly with the children and hopefully calm them down and offer some comfort.

Unfortunately, because of his early departure tomorrow the Provincial Grand Master was unable to stay for the excellent paella lunch provided which was followed by birthday cake to celebrate this weeks birthdays and some very nice looking iced cup cakes which disappeared as if by magic.  But, before his departure, he said that although it was very sad that such a home was necessary,  the children concerned were lucky to be at this one. The love and care shown by the volunteers and carers was obvious and it was also plain to see that they were, in turn, loved by the children.

He also thanked Mrs Barnish for giving up her time to show him around and said that he was grateful for finally being able to visit the home and see for himself how it was run and how the children were looked after. He found it a very useful and interesting visit and said he would like to return as and when possible. His next visit will be to meet the children in Alicante in July when many of them will be sponsored by the Masons for a ten day summer school.

Nearly 100 local Freemasons and their guests attended the Garden Party and a Hog Roast held last Saturday at the home of Javea Lodge no 40’s Worshipful Master Nigel Parker and his wife Susie. After an excellent meal, music for listening and dancing was provided by local band Diamond Jack featuring Javea 40’s very own Geoff Britton, ex Wings drummer.

The event was organised to support a local charity , and in particular the Javea Autism Association that needs €1000 to equip its Multi-Sensorial Room. This enables the children to interact better, through stimulation of their senses using a variety of media.
From ticket sales, a raffle, donations and an auction, the Lodge raised an amazing €1609 and a cheque for this sum was handed by Nigel Parker to Marion Kenworthy, Secretary of Todos Juntos Javea, who said she was overwhelmed by the generosity of the Lodge and confirmed that all monies raised will be used to support the Javea Autism Association.

As an added bonus, the Provincial Grand Master, R.W. Bro Michael Shilan, generously announced that he would increase the sum raised to €2000 with a donation from the Provincial charity fund.
Javea 40’s Charity Steward, Malcolm March, said that a lot of work had gone into organising the evening and wanted to thank his team of helpers for everything they had done. He said that the success of the event had made all the hard work worthwhile.

Recently the Provincial Grand Master of Valencia, R..W. Bro Michael Shilan, visited the annual summer school for underprivileged children in the countryside of Alicante. This is a slight departure from usual as the summer school is usually based in Guadalest, however, that has closed for a while for complete refurbishment. The new site is located deep in the heart of the country in a very wild, yet beautiful location. The school itself is held in a stunning old building built in 1777 and still going strong. It has a marked similarity to ‘The Alamo’ being very much in a Mexican style.

This summer school financed by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Valencia, has sponsored as many children as possible from underprivileged backgrounds for the past few years. Each year the number of children has been increased, starting with just fifteen and now up to fifty-four. These children are mainly from El Preventorio children’s home in Real de Gandia but this year we have also taken some underprivileged children from across the Province, who have been selected by the Red Cross

This is because there is an age restriction on visitors to the school and this year there are more than usual very young children at the home. As they were sadly unable to attend other children were invited to fill the places. These children come from all over the world including, Columbia, Guinea, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Byelorussia and Venezuela and including Spain of course.

For ten days they will attend the summer school at absolutely no cost to their parents or carers. This money has been raised by the Masons holding dances, raffles, Ladies nights, donations and hard work throughout the year. Just last week five thousand euros were raised by the Provincial golf day. This one event sponsors around fifteen children. It should be noted that this is not a holiday, though to most of these children it will seem like one, many of them having never been to such a place before. However, they are expected to work and learn and are kept on the go from eight in the morning until midnight so they have very full days.

This year the whole school has been decorated in the style of Harry Potter’s school Hogwarts, and a great deal of effort has gone into making this as realistic as possible. It is incredible what they have achieved with a shoestring budget but with lots of enthusiasm. This is largely due to the efforts of Sr Juan Carlos Ortuño the owner of the Guadalest site who has moved his whole organisation to ensure a continuing service which the children can make use of and enjoy.

The Provincial Grand Master and his wife Muriel were extremely impressed with the location, building and facilities on offer. They had a tour of the very informal classrooms which were also designed to the theme of Harry Potter, even to arriving via platform 9 3/4!
There are lessons throughout the camp far too numerous to list them all but including, hiking, swimming, cookery, flora & fauna recognition, quidditch (???), night trekking, orientation, archery, making rockets and producing a newspaper! No wonder they work from eight in the morning till midnight! This is an opportunity for all of the children to meet and make friends from all over the world and to learn to interact with all of them in a safe and happy environment. Judging by what I saw, every one of them was having the time of their lives. Next year we hope to sponsor even more children and efforts to raise money are already underway.

On Sunday 6 October local Freemasons Lodge, Arenal Deportiva held what is fast becoming an annual barbecue event. Over the last three years this barbecue has become more and more popular and now seems a fixture on the Masonic calendar. Starting at 3pm more than sixty Masons, wives and invited guests arrived to a fantastic party at the home of WBro Ian Brown and his lovely wife Eileen.

Music was provided from the outset, and throughout, by popular local DJ Darrell Clayton and the weather was kind, a warm; sunny afternoon with just a gentle breeze to hold down the worst of the afternoon heat and humidity.
A fantastic feast of barbecued meat was available including steak, chicken, hamburgers, sausages and pulled pork, provided by our own resident barbecue specialist, WBro Peter de Graaf. This took three days to prepare, so no effort was spared. With several types of salad and a wonderful selection of desserts no one went hungry.

As we all sat there in glorious sunshine, listening to the music and eating copious amounts of food, it was obvious that everyone was enjoying themselves. Although it was a party for Freemasons and invited guests the main reason for holding it was to raise money for local charities. After holding a raffle and several other money-raising schemes a total of just over three hundred and twenty euros was raised. This was announced by the Worshipful Master of the Lodge, RWBro Danny Coburn, who said the money would be added to other monies raised over the Masonic year and presented, in the form of much needed equipment, to local charities at the end of the Masonic year. This provides a much-needed boost to several local charities supported by the Masonic movement.

There are many more events planned by the Lodge over the coming months, including a grand fireworks night, a car led treasure hunt and a Ladies night. All will be used to raise money, all of which will be donated to worthy causes. A great afternoon enjoyed by all. Thanks to the Worshipful Master Danny Coburn for sponsoring this event, thanks also to Ian and Eileen for allowing the use of the garden and also to Bob and Eileen Watkins for all their help and support.

On Friday, 12th July 2019, the  Worshipful Master of Puerto de Xabia Lodge number fifty-eight, W Bro Jim Campbell, accompanied by Master Elect Bro Peter de Graaf,  visited the Centro de Acogida de menores (Childrens Living Centre) “Les Rotes” in Denia, where they presented vouchers to the value of seven hundred euros to the Centre.
They were kindly received and thanked by Snra. Maisa Sendra on behalf of the Director. The vouchers will be used to purchase clothing and necessities for the Children.
Puerto de Xabia Lodge has been assisting the Centre for several years and hopes to continue in the future.

Due to the pressing needs to improve the quality of life in a local children’s home, Calpe Beacon Charity decided to diversify from not only supporting the needs of individual young people, but to improving the accommodation of children in the care of the local authority, particularly with windows that no longer keep winter elements from invading bedrooms due to their age and condition.  There are also bedroom doors, which are broken, and impossible to close; with young girls unable to maintain privacy, this is totally unacceptable.  With the help of local Freemasons, windows have now been replaced and we are in the process of installing new bedroom doors with locks.  They are also continuing to ensure that these local children in care, receive small Christmas and birthday gifts, and individual requirements for school books, reading glasses, sports kit etc, as far as is possible.

Armonia de Ifach Masonic Lodge, also known as “The Calpe Lodge,” are pleased to be part of this very worthy local cause, and Worshipful Master Ian Raistrick has assisted with a donation of 629€ which was raised at the recently held Ladies Festival. W. Bro Reg Wright, the Lodge Treasurer, stated “children in care rarely have the same opportunities as their peer group; our ongoing fund raising activities within the Lodge, include improving life experiences for young people, as well as the elderly, within the local community.  Like many other Masonic Lodges throughout the Province of Valencia, we also support the Summer Camp for underprivileged youngsters where they will meet new friends and have new experiences, which will, increase their confidence, and improve their social skills.”

The wives and partners of members of Javéa’s three Freemason’s Lodges have donated a digital projector to the Asociación Autismo Javéa, which supports children and young adults suffering from autism living in Javéa and nearby towns.

Margaret March and Muriel Shilan presented the projector to a representative of the Asociación.  Margaret March explained that the group of ladies had nicknamed themselves the “Dinner Ladies” because they meet monthly for a meal and to raise money for local charities and families in need.

Margaret explained that the Dinner Ladies immediately stepped in to help when they heard that the Asociación was in desperate need of a projector because one that they had been promised had not been delivered.  She said that last month they had given 250€ to help the family of a refugee from Venezuela who had no bedding.

On the 25th June, Oliva La Safor Lodge of Freemasons held a summer party and barbecue for Masons and guests at the popular local restaurant Viva España in Oliva.  About fifty Masons attended with wives and guests, to what turned out to be a very good evening.  Entertainment was provided throughout the evening, first by versatile local entertainer Frank Abrams, who sang and played keyboards, flute and saxophone.  He was ably backed up by ‘Grayjam’ more well known as W. Bro Graham Scutt on electric guitar.  Graham has a wide repertoire of popular music and is becoming quite well known among locals in this area.

The meal was based around a barbecue with a choice of and lamb, chicken and sausages with salad, followed by an apple pie with ice cream. A raffle was held for charity in which all gifts were donated by Masons and which raised three hundred euros. This was collected on behalf of the children’s home, El Preventorio, and will be donated at a later date with other monies raised. The Worshipful Master reminded everyone that not everyone was as fortunate as we are and asked everyone to remember the children, particularly when buying raffle tickets.

The annual trip to Italy organised by the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge under the direction of the Immediate Past Master, V.W.Bro. Rodney Charles Bignell and his lady Jean has been the best attended yet with 57 people traveling to the beautiful Lake Como to stay in the Hotel Britannia Excelsior.

As always the settting was the wonderful Grand Hotel Excelsior, Cadenabbia (also known as the Hotel Britannia Excelsior, Lake Como) the hotel website can be found at….
http://www.comovita.com/en/britannia
The hosts were the owners of the hotel, W.Bro. Ross Whieldon and his charming wife Doriana.

Not only is this in  one of the most beautiful settings in the world, but the hotel is renowned for its kitchen and provided wonderful meals and social events each evening.  The undoubted highlight of the trip was a Gala Dinner on the Friday evening.

With this year having been the most popular yet, everyone headed home already thinking ahead to returning.